June 2011

Colorado Weekend – So Much To Do

June 24-26, 2011

The first weekend of summer promises something for all tastes and interests with more than 30 major events. Join the festivities with options from art to zydeco, Shakespeare to swing, bikes to boats, beer to wine.

Down River Kayak and Raft Races run through the Royal Gorge. Kayak Throwdown and Raft Rodeo held at the Royal Gorge Whitewater Park in Canon City. ByOB – Build Your Own Boat Race, Duckie Dash, Raft King of the Wave and Pedal-Paddle-Battle. Live music in Centennial park Park, food and drink vendors.

This June biking festival has a new name in 2011 but continues the tradition of challenge and celebration in the epicenter of Colorado mountain biking. Events include Chainless Race down Kebler Pass, Rippin’ Chix Clinics with Alison Gannett, Tech Expo, Bridges of the Butte, Clif Bar Fat Tire 40, and Mountain States Cub Wildflower Rush. Saturday evening music by reggae legion Toot and Maytals on the Red Lady Stage at Mt. Crested Butte.

Fort Morgan celebrates one of its favorite sons Glenn Miller and the Big Band Era during a weekend of concerts in the park, history tours, WWII military re-enactors, champagne brunch, dances and music, music, music. Saturday night dance to the the music of the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers.

The weekend combines the best of two worlds – German heritage and historic railroading. While passengers experience a ride on a narrow gauge train pulled by an 1880s steam locomotive the German village entices with traditional food, music, and dance.

Music, music, music – Country Jam comes to the Western Slope for an incredible weekend of country music, camping, food and adult beverages under bright Colorado skies. This year’s lineup includes Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Western Underground, Clint Black and Lady Antebellum plus more than a dozen others.

With roots dating back to the late 1800s Greeley winds up for 11 days of rodeos, concerts, carnivals, mutton bustin’ in the park, Western art, monster trucks, demolition and roller derbies, parades, royalty, fireworks and so much more it’s impossible to do it all. But its easy to enjoy events of your choosing.

Water, water everywhere for the 9th annual family-friendly River Festival. Saturday starts with the River Parade followed by raft rodeo, freestyle kayaking and big tricks. New this year is a surf wave. The 2011 Hooligan event is canceled due to high water. Action moves to Almont on Sunday with races on the Taylor River. In addition to water events there’s plenty of food, beverages, music, art and “Fun Zone” for kids.

Competitors are teams of working cowboys, ranch owners and ranch hands. Events center on skills traditionally required for Western ranching – bronc riding, team branding, team sorting, trailer loading, wild cow milking, and team doctoring. Plus an open horse show, Western trade show and outdoor dance.

The 24th season kicks off with a FREE concert by Bravo’s new Artistic Director, world renowned pianist Anne-Marie McDermott on Sunday evening at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. See the Dallas Symphony , Philadelphia Orchestra, New York philharmonic plus world-class soloists and groups.

The Kingdom of Breckenridge celebrates its 152-year heritage with Wild West gun fights on Main Street, gold panning, historic hikes and walking tours, storytelling and mine tours. Gather a team, build an outhouse, then push or pull it to the finish in the 5th annual outhouse races. Dozens of FREE events, activities for all ages.

A dozen carvers from around the country compete for cash prizes while turning tree stumps into 3-dimensional works of art. The craftsmen rev up their engines starting Wednesday; work continues until Saturday afternoon judging. Saturday brings arts, crafts, food vendors, car and motorcycle show, and live music, ending with awards and a FREE public concert by the Outlaws.

One of Denver’s largest and longest running ethnic festivals features traditional Greek music, folk dancing and tons of good food (love the Greek fries). Events include a Greek boutique and tours of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Don’t miss the homemade desserts including baklava. OPA!

Frisco’s Main Street fills with more than 60 teams competing in the 18th annual event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Tastings, entertainment, games, cooking demons and pig races ensure a smokin’ good time.

America’s oldest, boldest and largest whitewater festival in its 63nd year with events from international competitors to pancake breakfast, carnival to mountain bike races. With lots of fast moving snow melt 2011 should be an exciting year for “First In Boating on the Arkansas”.

Hugh festival weekend in Telluride’s summer of festivals. Ten thousand fill venues all over the mountain valley. Music, music, music from returning favorites and rising stars – dozen of groups playing the main stage or jammin’ around campfires.

Above all remember and celebrate Dad!

Click on each event name to open website.

Check back each week during the summer for a potpourri of Colorado events and festivals for the upcoming weekend.

“Crawford – 100 Years of Pioneers” is the theme for the 33rd annual Pioneer Days celebration. Events start on Thursday evening with an old fashioned melodrama and end Sunday in a BBQ in the park. In between the days are filled with a parade, outhouse races, games, entertainment, pancake breakfast, cowboy cook-off, and street dance. The volunteer fire department puts on a Saturday night fireworks display over Crawford State Park.

Get wet and wild as Durango celebrates the recreational opportunities provided by the Animas River coursing through the city. River rodeo and river slalom races, costumed river parade, workshops, beer garden and music. New this year are Boatercross competition and Up-Down Paddleboard Race.

Friday afternoon river cleanup followed by an appreciation BBQ. Friday evening Reel Paddling Film Festival with award winning whitewater short films.

In its 21st year one of the largest all-natural fiber markets in North America focuses on everything from on the hoof to off the loom. Demonstrations, vendors, sheep dog herding, sheep shearing and children’s tent with hands-on activities – something for everyone. Competitions for sheep, llama, alpaca, Cashmere & Angora goats.

Free music downtown on Friday – family appropriate until 8pm. The evening becomes more adult oriented with Colorado blues bands playing until midnight in downtown restaurants and bars.

Family friendly all day Saturday at Island Grove Park, age 12 and under free. At the “Blues 101 Stage” learn about the style of music considered our national heritage. In case of rain the event will move indoors to the Events Center. Camping available at Island Grove Park.

Harken back to the 16th century with a day at this 35th annual popular festival. Music, games, entertainment, crafts and food – including turkey legs. Open Saturdays and Sundays until July 31, each weekend is themed; such as, Wine Revelry, Love and Romance, and Mardi Gras Style Carnivale. Opening weekend features a "Buy One get One Free" coupon offer from Wendy’s Restaurants.

A weekend of music along with workshops, jam sessions and activities for the kids on the banks of the Colorado River. Enjoy local wines, beers and spirits while listening. Onsite camping is available. Sunday afternoon culminates with Grascals, the 2010 SPBGMA’s Bluegrass Band of the Year.

A weekend celebrating Trinidad’s past includes Hispanic Art, car show, pancake breakfast, reliving the “Old West”, live music and evening street dances. Sport events range from a 5K race and golf to a competitive horseshoe tournament and the first ever Coal Car Race.

Click on each event name to open website.

Check back each week during the summer for a potpourri of Colorado events and festivals for the upcoming weekend.

It’s a great week for foodies in Crested Butte. The magic number is 8885, saluting the town’s altitude. Parties of four can savor multi-course meals for $88.85; smaller parties will pay $22.21 per person. Each restaurant presents special week-long deals – sometimes including wine or alcoholic beverages. Taxes and gratuities are not included. Establishments that do not serve dinner plan to feature multi-course lunches at $8.85 per person.

We see many of our CB favorites on the participant list – Donitas for killer margaritas and Mexican, pasta and desserts at Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle and good old reliable The Last Steep. Participating restaurants in Mt. Crested Butte include local favorite, Avalanche Bar & Grille, 9380 Prime and Woodstone Grille.

Lodging specials at B&Bs, lodges and hotels start at $88.85. The snowpack is receding, there are even some wildflowers popping up. It’s time to break out the hiking boots and mountain bikes to work up a healthy appetite for delicious dining during Crested Butte Restaurant Week.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas (The Ranch of the Swallows) will hum with a multitude of activities during Spring Festival & Children’s Fair, June 4 & 5, 2011. The living history museum/ranch located south of Santa Fe interprets rural life in the Southwest during the 18th and 19th centuries.

A large volunteer staff dresses in clothing appropriate to the period. They share culture and heritage through stories, role playing, demonstrations and hands-on activities. Visitors can make tortillas, grind corn, make a corn husk doll or other arts and crafts, and sample bread baked in the traditional hornos.

Festival presentations include traditional music and dance, sheep shearing, blacksmithing and puppet shows. Sunday morning begins with a special mass and San Ysidro procession. Events run until 4pm both days.

Late spring is a perfect time to walk the 200-acre rural setting and festival weekends offer additional rich experiences.

Any weekend visit to the living history museum El Rancho de las Golondrinas provides historic and cultural experiences from the 18th and 19th century. Annual festivals and events promise even more reason to spend a day at the outstanding facility celebrating colorful Southwestern heritage.